In our best attended January meeting for several years, we welcomed a return visit by Mark Lewis. On this occasion he spoke on the subject of Medieval Art, i.e. during the period 6c to 15c. His talk covered the technology of materials used for the production of paint; including one shade of blue which, although much used in the period, has been lost to mankind and had to be replaced by other materials to approximate the original shades.
Mark illustrated his lecture with brilliant photographs including such wonders as the rose windows of Chartres Cathedral and St Denis Church in Paris. He explained that many outstanding works of art, particularly in churches, were either destroyed or painted over (usually in white) during the Reformation and rise of Puritan elements within Christianity. It is difficult to understand such acts of barbarism but at least in our modern era massive steps have been taken to repair and upgrade religious buildings such as the ongoing refurbishment of Reims Cathedral which has arguably the finest rose windows in the world.
